Red Wave or Red Mirage

Stuart Stevens writes, "After I replied to Mr. Ackman’s post, he invited me to refute each of his 33 justifications for supporting Donald Trump. So, I did."

Trump and the much of the far right have perverted traditional Christian values. In this episode Rick is joined by Jim Wallis, theologian and author of The False White Gospel, to discuss the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S. Wallis explores how this movement has distorted Christianity for political power, particularly under Donald Trump, and the dangers it poses to American democracy. They discuss the history of white Christian nationalism, its contrast with the inclusive teachings of Jesus, and the importance of reclaiming faith from political agendas to refound democracy on true spiritual values. Jim's book, The False White Gospel, available now.

Mark Ruffalo and Andrea Guidry narrate this important and frightened chapter of David Pepper's prescient podcast. This chapter captures the struggles of 12-year-old Alvaro and his mother desperate to escape a fictional detention center in West Texas and soldier Jake Caldwell as he witnesses the overwhelming influx of women and children, and the systemic failures of the camp. The environment strips away humanity, leading children to escape in search of freedom.

Featuring narration by Richard Schiff and Morgan Fairchild, in Part Five, the fictional characters Congresswoman Louise Getty and Senator Wade Stiller, former rivals, meet at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. They reflect on their pasts and express concern over a hostile political climate under Trump’s second term, feeling fear and paranoia about being surveilled and targeted by the government. Their conversation reveals a sense of vulnerability as they confront the reality that many of their colleagues have abandoned principles out of fear. Louise recalls the intense political maneuvering and betrayals leading up to and following the January 6 insurrection. In Part Two, Woody Nuxhall, the newly appointed head of the Treason and Political Crime Section of the DOJ, oversees his zealous young team of prosecutors, eager to pursue investigations and vendettas against political enemies. The group discusses tactics to surveil and undermine former colleagues and opposition figures, planning a strategy fueled by partisan loyalty and vengeance, while embracing a radical transformation of the DOJ's role in politics.

Fox News decided to lean into the skid and scare the bejeezus out of its audience with a combination of the longshoreman strike, increased violence in the Middle East and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Late in the week Donald J. Trump told multiple lies about the federal response to the hurricane that Fox News hosts were happy to amplify. Sean Hannity mentioned lies about FEMA over 50 times in two days. Greg Gutfeld pretended he was an expert on climate change and a Harris supporter snuck into a Breakfast with Friends segment on Fox & Friends.